Kathryn Chandler, Managing Director

Kathryn Chandler comes to the Country Cottage family with 13 years of experience in assisted living and memory loss care.  Her love for the elderly started long before that.  “My interest in caring for seniors began while I was still in high school when I was volunteering as a ‘candy striper’ at a local nursing home,” Kathryn said.  “I always felt that just because a person was aging, it didn’t mean they couldn’t still have fun and enjoy life.”

Kathryn earned her degree at Alabama Southern Community College.  Over the past decade, Kathryn has grown from being the administrator for a 16 bed property in Monroeville, Alabama, to a 94 bed community in Atlanta.  She returned to Alabama and served as the Director of Operations and Marketing for a management company in Montgomery, where she oversaw several communities.  “I’ve always felt that I wanted to make some kind of contribution to society, even if it was a small one.  And now, being involved with Country Cottage fills that need.”

Kathryn was raised in the small town of Thomasville, but lived and worked in Atlanta.  She decided to move back to Montgomery so she could be closer to her family.  Kathryn has two grown sons and two beautiful grandsons.  In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys working outside in her garden, as well as reading and spending time with her family.

Leigh Davis, LPN
Resident Services Director

Leigh Davis is excited to be joining the Cottage family as Resident Services Director.  Leigh comes to us with over 8 years experience in Geriatrics and 19 years in nursing with her most recent assignment being the Director of Nursing at an Assisted Living Community.  “I love caring for and helping people, especially older folks.  The knowledge I gain from their experience in life is tremendous. ”

Leigh was born in Memphis, TN but has lived in Montgomery for over 25 years.  Leigh graduated from Trenholm State Technical College in 1989 with a LPN license. 

She is married and has one son, one daughter, and one stepson.  She is a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter.  In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, camping and spending time with her family.

Kendra Newton, Information Director

Kendra Newton, a native of Honeycomb Valley (a bend in the road between Huntsville and Guntersville in Northeast Alabama) and proud graduate of Auburn University, has always had a special love and respect for her elders. She says that this feeling stems from the fact that three of her grandparents passed away by the time she was nine. Some of her most precious memories of her grandparents are from when they were in declining health, Kendra remembers, “It was then that I learned that the smallest acts of kindness can mean a great deal in the lives of others.” One memory that stands out in particular is when she gave a picture that she colored to her grandfather, after he had several strokes and was unable to speak. Her grandfather folded the picture and placed it in his wallet letting her know he would cherish it for ever.

            She started out in college as a nursing student, but her care for and interest in the problems she saw in many families led her to social work. In 1985 after graduation she became a child protective social worker with DHR in Jasper Alabama, where she met her future husband Joey. It was a classic case of opposites attracting, her being an Auburn grad and him graduating from the University of Alabama. In the end Joey won, Kendra continued her education in Tuscaloosa where she received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 1991. Shortly after they were married, Kendra worked for Riverbend Mental Health Center and for a special program with DHR recruiting foster care homes. Kendra and Joey lived in Russellville, Alabama where their children, Taylor and Kaylee were born. In 2003, the family moved to Montgomery.

Kendra shares, “Most of my free time is spent enjoying my family. When we are not at church (Morning View Baptist), I like to cook, read, or play at the piano. I passionately put my heart into whatever I undertake. My whole family is as excited about this opportunity at the Cottage as I am.”